PAUL, SANTORUM DELIVER SOLID PERFORMANCES VS. FRONTRUNNERS
It’s not time for “March Madness” just yet, but a pair of Cinderellas are doing their best to crash the GOP establishment’s ball …
Ron Paul and Rick Santorum – two GOP candidates who were never supposed to make the party’s “Final Four” – gave strong performances against heavyweights Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney at a debate in North Charleston, S.C. on Thursday night.
(To read our live blog of the proceedings, click here).
The crucial exchange – held less than 48 hours before South Carolina Republicans cast their votes in the state’s pivotal “First in the South” presidential primary – exposed serious ideological problems for both the former U.S. Speaker and the former Massachusetts Governor, which isn’t surprising seeing as neither one of them has much of a record when it comes to supporting things that Republicans are supposed to stand for.
So … did the upstarts do well enough to knock either of the establishment candidates off of their blocks in the Palmetto State?
We shall see … obviously a big part of that is how the debate is covered, and so far the mainstream media is doing everything within its power to keep the focus on the frontrunners. For example, The New York Times‘ recap of the debate gave only a glancing reference to Santorum – and mentioned Paul’s name just once. Meanwhile Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post actually had the gall to declare Paul the “loser” of the debate.
We’re not sure what debate these legacy press writers were watching, but it sure wasn’t the one we saw … and we weren’t alone in that thinking.
“Getting close to revolution,” one SCGOP political operative told FITS, referring to Paul’s strong performance.
Meanwhile our founding editor – a harsh critic of Santorum – frequently tweeted his praise of the former Senator thanks to his aggressive criticism of Romney and Gingrich.
Specifically, both Gingrich and Romney were hammered hard after they criticized U.S. President Barack Obama’s socialized medicine plan – which isn’t surprising given their prior support for previous iterations of that monstrosity.
Santorum – while hardly the ideal attacker on this front given his history of fiscal liberalism in the U.S. Senate – nonetheless landed body blow after body blow on both Romney and Gingrich.
Romney in particular was pounded over his socialized medicine proposal in Massachusetts – dubbed “Romneycare” – marking the first time in nearly 20 debates that he was forced to go on the defensive regarding his conflicted position. Gingrich, too, was drawn into the fray and forced to explain his prior support for the individual mandate that forms the basis of both “Romneycare” and “Obamacare.”
Prior to Thursday night the two Republicans – who are running neck-in-neck in recent polls in South Carolina – had yet to be confronted so directly on a debate stage regarding their left-leaning health care history.
And guess what … neither responded well to the attacks.
Romney rambled in an attempt to distinguish his plan from Obama’s while Gingrich actually bragged about forming a health care think tank – neglecting to mention that the organization later backed Romneycare.
Meanwhile Paul – eschewing the “Uncle Fluffy” persona that has cost him points in recent debates – turned in a solid performance, establishing his fiscal credentials and winning the crowd with responses to questions on immigration and abortion.
Paul – a doctor – almost didn’t get to answer the abortion question as CNN moderator John King attempted to move on to another subject after permitting the other three candidates to respond. But Paul supporters in the audience protested his exclusion, and King eventually permitted Paul to answer.
Gingrich started off the evening with guns blazing – blasting moderator King for opening the debate with a question about allegations from his second wife.
“I am tired of elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans,” an indignant Gingrich said, to huge applause.
That was the high point of his evening, though, as the rotund Republican quickly got bogged down attempting to defend his numerous ideological sellouts.
***
By RecallNikki January 19, 2012 at 11:34 pm
I’m voting for Newt as a protest vote against Mitt because Haley endorsed him.
By Jon January 19, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Waste…newt isn’t on all the ballots. You really want to protest vote Ron Paul…the liberals hate him, the neocons that love Romney hate him, and the liberal media hates him…there must be a good reason for it so vote him if you really want to protest, otherwise you are just wasting your time and vote.
By ? January 20, 2012 at 8:48 am
Yep, a vote for Paul is basically a middle finger to the establishment.
By GoTigers712 January 20, 2012 at 9:13 am
Ya, A vote for Newt is a vote for Mitt, and a vote for Mitt is a vote for Obama, and a vote for Obama is a vote for special interests, corperations, and lobbiest. A vote for Paul is a vote for the American People
Ron Paul is the only one who can get this country back on track, Hes the only one who can beat Obama head to head.
By Cooter Brown January 20, 2012 at 10:16 am
Naught much ov a protest, I’d say Why naught jest stay at home an’ play pocket pool…
By SCBlues January 20, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Don’t kid yourself.
Ron Paul is about as “Republican establishment” as they come when it comes to women’s reproductive rights.
By Debbie January 19, 2012 at 11:44 pm
“Romney rambled in an attempt to distinguish” Yes, when there is no defense, and Mittens cannot throw a hissy fit the best he can do is ramble.
Romney lost Iowa, next South Carolina.
By jonathan January 19, 2012 at 11:48 pm
The writer got it right about Mr. Paul!
No matter what the Lame Stream corrupt Media does to try and discredit Ron Paul seem to be the American way.
Well here is a closer look at the American Way!
…Just look at our pathetic Government Facts!
(Hilliary Clinton $35million) (Mitt Romney $12million ) (John Kerry $30 million) (Newt Gingrich $14million) (B. Obama $12 million)(Rick Santorum $5million) (Nancy Pelosi $65million) and the list goes on and on just from 2002 – 2010! Profits in U.S. from companies that build weapons!
To make matters worse our Gov is owned by the corporations (Bain, Goldmen Sacks, Boeing, Monsanto, Lockheed, ) to buy the media off to paint a picture of our congress as humanitarian’s! What a joke! but Oh so TRUE!
One Man was not here courting you, he was in D.C. fighting for us. it was Ron Paul.
Newt will win ,…Because this is what Americans want!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CWKTOCP45zY#!
By Nathaniel H January 20, 2012 at 12:22 am
Paul > the current GOP, and of course, the entire Democratic party since the beginning of its time.
Paul = Modern Day Founding Father.
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington, Ronald Paul, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, etc.
:)
By SimonOfCyrene January 20, 2012 at 1:19 am
Wake up SC, don’t hand your primary off to Newt, pleeeeeeease. You may not like either one, but go for Santorum, at least he doesn’t cheat on his wife (& thanks to ABC’s chat with Newt’s ex tonight he’s toast). Santorum now officially won Iowa, he came out against NDAA, and James Dobson just endorsed him today. We need a season of righteousness in the US. Rove gave us the finger after we gave Bush the WH. And Obama (Perry’s right) has conducted a war on religion. Give us 4 years on the right track. Wake up, church in America. Righteousness exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34); get that right and the economy will follow.
By Ken E. January 20, 2012 at 7:59 am
Simon says: James Dobson just endorsed him today
Count me out, then. Good Lord, that guy is creepy, which is why Santorum deserves an endorsement from him.
By Jackson Baer January 20, 2012 at 2:25 am
Ron Paul is the only one who stands for anything. He leaves the campaign trail to vote against the debt ceiling because he cares more about principle than a few damn votes. I’m thankful for his honesty and consistency, agree with him or not. He’s got my vote even though I disagree with a few of his stances. At least I know he won’t go back on his word.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=262l6tbHSlU
http://www.whatthehellbook.com/2012/01/17/to-hell-with-peace/
By Nathanael Greene January 20, 2012 at 5:27 am
It’s not all about the debates.
Thank You for your support.
In God We Trust
Ron Paul for President
By BigT January 20, 2012 at 8:12 am
FITS is a GEE DEE IDIOT!!!!!
WOW!!!!!Newt told CNN what every Conservative in the world has been BEGGING them to say (the Truth)…
Newt Called them the LIARS that they are, Called theh DISPICABLE…then, at the end, Newt said he is tired of the Elite media Attacking Republicans to Protect Barack Obama…
Win or lose….BRAVO, Newt, BRAVO, BRAVO….
Win or lose….BRAVO, Newt, BRAVO, BRAVO….
Win or lose….BRAVO, Newt, BRAVO, BRAVO….
Win or lose….BRAVO, Newt, BRAVO, BRAVO….
Win or lose….BRAVO, Newt, BRAVO, BRAVO….
Win or lose….BRAVO, Newt, BRAVO, BRAVO….
Win or lose….BRAVO, Newt, BRAVO, BRAVO….
Win or lose….BRAVO, Newt, BRAVO, BRAVO….
All liberals should be hanging their heads, but most are likely not smart enough to know what just happened…Newt Told America who and what you are. He heavilly damaged your propaganda machine (which is your weapon against reality)….
By BigT January 20, 2012 at 8:13 am
PLEASE VIEW THIS LINK….if you care about your country….
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/19/politics/gop-debate/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
By BigT January 20, 2012 at 8:31 am
Hey FITS…How’s that hemorrhoid this mooring after Newt REAMED out you, and all the D@%n idiots like you…
Newt must Channeled BigT last night…
Im still LingMAO…He Kicked your Trashy-Stupid A$$#s….HaHaHaHa…
Wipe that egg off your face, you look like an imbecile…LingMAO…HaHaHa…
By ? January 20, 2012 at 8:49 am
Are you looking forward to calling Calista “First Adultress”?
By Ken E. January 20, 2012 at 8:52 am
Right, ?. Aren’t only the libs and Paulites the people who engage in immoral activity, according to BigT? By his definition, Newt is a democrat.
By Sailor January 20, 2012 at 10:23 am
Hey asshole, haven’t you been preaching “family values” to us for months?
By snodgrass January 20, 2012 at 8:54 am
Ron Paul had a good showing last night. I just wish he had gotten more time. Once people get past his age and lack of polish, they can’t help but admire him. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s the last best chance this country will ever have.
Santorum had a good showing too, but his values are schizophrenic. He’s immoral on foreign policy and theocratic on social policy. He’s one scary dude. It’s ironic that he’s so eager to bomb Iran. He would fit right in with the Mullah’s over there.
Romney and Gingrich are pure political animals. They represent everything that’s wrong with American politics. Without their well-honed debating skills to charm the ignorant bobbleheads, they would have never gotten past Iowa.
By vicupstate January 20, 2012 at 8:59 am
Paul was his usual self. If you were for him before, you still are, if you weren’t, you still aren’t. He will get his 10-15% on Saturday and then he will begin to lose relevance.
Newt won the debate based on the first 5 minutes, but otherwise was merely par afterwards. Romney had some good moments but just as many bad ones.
Santorum did well, but not enough to change the trajectory of the SC primary or the race generally.
If Romney wins on Saturday it is all over. If Gingrich wins, they all live to fight for another day.
By WorkingTommyC January 20, 2012 at 9:03 am
Newt Gingrich as president would be like living in the hell of a four year long lecture by the most pompous, self-centered, bloviating professor at college. Each declaration would be delivered with that self-conscious wave of the hand implying the ease with which he comes up with yet more government programs as solutions.
No matter what exact words come out of his mouth, he’s always really telling us, “Isn’t it obvious how absolutely brilliant I am?” and “Don’t worry about anything! I am the social scientist and you people are my lab rats.”
Gingrich, according to Gingrich, is God himself in human form. The rules that he wants to strictly enforce on everyone else, he refuses, of course, to apply to himself. He is exempt, because, after all, he’s the one who should be calling the shots and who tells God what to do?
By WorkingTommyC January 20, 2012 at 9:07 am
Yes, Snodgrass, you’re right on Santorum. Why’s that pathetic coward who never served so aggressive about going to war when he has no freakin’ clue about it or the military himself? If he’s so eager to get other people killed, he should be the first one in line at the front leading the charge.
By STFU January 20, 2012 at 9:11 am
Some Newt operative needs to ask not for the Romney tax returns, ask for Bains records, any Bain records” because Axelrod surely will.
SC picks losers, they picked Dole and they picked McCain, Demint Allowing Mitt to to use 08 audio is bullshit.
Hiding behind a different agenda will not wash, because neither the House or the Senate is going to let you near any leadership.
If you can ask Newt about that charge, why can the SC media not ask Trikki about Wills charges, perhaps tonight in Greenville, standing next to Mitt. Take a picture of the people standing next to Mitt tonight in Greenville, it will tell you who has taken that Mormon money.
Anyone who doubts Ron Paul, look at the French pull out after four deaths, four, let the world walk a beat, in our shoes and watch this war shit end immediately. Bring our sons home now.
By GoTigers712 January 20, 2012 at 9:15 am
Im voting for Paul, and Newt is one of my frat brothers…
By dirtbogger January 20, 2012 at 9:44 am
funny how the Ball Washers show up to defend Newt and clean his Ball sack so his Infedelity is not obvious.
By ceilidh10 January 20, 2012 at 9:48 am
Wonder how the Popes-ass-kissing Sanctimonious Sanc Scrotum will do on Saturday. Don’t forget that Cat Licks owe their hole allegiance to the Pope in Rome, and to the imbedded culture of pedophilia that is the Cat Lick Church.
By RealStatesmanNot January 20, 2012 at 10:11 am
You do know that Newt Gingrich is a Catholic also, right?
By ? January 20, 2012 at 10:32 am
Huh, I hadn’t heard genuine Catholic hate in some time. Good show Ceili! I don’t count the pedophile jokes because they seem non hateful and just describing the truth.
My Grandmother was a Baptist and my Grandfather a Catholic, before they divorced in the late 50′s(which my Grandfather fought tooth and nail) my Mom told me stories about how they used to fight every Sunday on which church they’d go to.
Apparently they’d agreed to go to a Catholic church before marriage but my Grandmother changed her mind.
Her big slur to my Grandfather during these fights was calling him a “Catholicker”.
lol….people can be so funny so times when it comes to hate.
I’ve always thought Catholics were pretty good in making sure they weren’t elevating the US gov’t above God….Santorum and Newt have made me reconsider that.
Aside from the fact that they both ignore the Vatican’s condemnation of wars of agression. (and I’m not a Catholic btw)
By Ken E. January 20, 2012 at 10:34 am
Newt would convert to Islam if he thought it could help him politically or monetarily.
By Jan January 20, 2012 at 11:19 am
“did the upstarts do well enough to knock either of the establishment candidates off of their blocks in the Palmetto State.”
How is Santorm not an estiblishment candidate. Didn’t he head up the Republican’s K Street Project while he was a Senator? Isn’t that the very definintion of insider? Santorum is no different than Newt. A hasbeen Washington politician, who is trying to make a comeback because he misses the power.
By BigT January 20, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Newt has FITS, and the Dumbass media, IMPLODING!!!!!!!!!
LOVE IT….
He kicked your ASS on National TV…BRAVO!!!!
By SCBlues January 20, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Newt didn’t kick anyone’s ass.
He threw one of his famous temper-tantrums and then threw out some pieces of rancid red meat that he knew that pitiful fat-assed debate audience would devour.
Newt is a PIG. He looks like a PIG, acts like a PIG and thinks like a PIG. Oink! Oink!
Newt does not stand a chance of getting the Republican nomination – he’ll be squealing eeee! eeee! all the way home – Romney has the nomination wrapped up – and I’m loving it!
Obama will clean Romney’s clock!
By ? January 20, 2012 at 2:54 pm
You missed one common element between pigs and Newt SCBlues, pigs are widely known as liking to fornicate for reasons of pleasure, like humans.
The only difference in that regard is that pigs have twisted penises while Newt simply has a twisted mind.
The pandering display Newt put on was amazing. He successfully chummed the waters looking for the rabid but mindless GOP fish and came up with a net full.
I’m not sure if that translates to actual votes tomorrow, but we’ll see soon. As Mencken said, nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public. He’s winning the Drudge poll on the debate right now.
If Newt wins the GOP primary the general election will be over before it ever started.
By snodgrass January 20, 2012 at 3:08 pm
“If Newt wins the GOP primary the general election will be over before it ever started.”
If any status-quo candidate wins the GOP primary, it becomes a three way race. RP supporters won’t be pimped by the GOP.
By gotta be kidding January 20, 2012 at 7:32 pm
In trying to be fairly objective (my candidate dropped out) I though Paul was horrible. His answer on China jobs – he basically supported the Walmartization of America, that its good China makes our goods, because we get cheap Ipods. And his answer on WW2 vets was ridiculous. Those vets assimilated back in to society so well because of the GI Bill, not tax breaks. It was a vast federal program that caused that prosperity.